Abstract: An electrodeless neon discharge light source having a red color light output is provided for use in automotive applications. The light source has a lamp envelope containing a fill of neon gas which, when excited to a discharge state by introduction of an operating signal over a tuned circuit consisting of a resonant capacitor and a ferrite coil, produces a red color light output. A flash control input to a ballast circuit arrangement provides the ability to control the light output using bursts of high frequency sinusoidal energy. The use of the burst signal approach allows for providing varying levels of light intensity output thereby signifying the distinction between braking conditions and an on condition of the tail light. Furthermore, by controlling the rate of flashing of the light source, an indication of a hard braking or emergency condition, could be conveyed.

Abstract: A light source and optical delivery arrangement for use with a projection lighting system as may be used in the stage and studio fields, includes a high brightness light source which achieves a light output in excess of 4000 lumens at a power rating of approximately 60 watts and wherein such efficiency is achieved in conjunction with a rated life of greater than about 4000 hours for such light source. The light source is disposed at the first optical focal point of an ellipsoidally shaped reflector with an input end of an optical coupler disposed at the second optical focal point of the reflector in order to receive the light output from the light source. The optical coupler member has a cross-sectional surface area which is polygonal in shaped and is effective so as to provide a light output therefrom which is essentially uniform in terms of color and intensity. A prismatic member is disposed on the optical coupler member for re-directing the light output into a lens member.

Abstract: A centralized lighting system is provided having a high intensity light source which is disposed at approximately the first optical focal point of an ellipsoidally shaped reflector member. A mirror member, disposed in advance of a second optical focal point associated with the reflector member, receives light output from the light source and is constructed so as to divide the light output into at least first and second beam portions. The mirror member is further effective so as to separate the first and second beam portions by at least 90 degrees relative to one another. Corresponding at least first and second optical transmission members are receptive of the first and second beam portions and are effective for communicating the light output to locations remote from the light source. In one embodiment, the mirror member is V-shaped and is constructed of first and second mirror segments joined together so as to form an angle of less than about 85 degrees therebetween.

Abstract: A display system having a greyscale control arrangement for controlling light output from a plurality of optical fibers includes a light source effective for supplying a high brightness light output to the input ends of the plurality of optical fibers. A plurality of piezoelectric shutter members are disposed adjacent the light delivery ends of the optical fibers and are effective for controlling the delivery of light output through the optical fibers as a function of the on or off condition thereof. The delivery ends of the optical fibers are disposed relative to one another so as to form a plurality of display pixels. At least two of the optical fibers are combined to form each of the pixels. The diameters of the at least two optical fibers that make up each pixel are different thereby allowing that at least four different greyscale levels can be achieved for each display pixel.

Abstract: A central lighting system for providing light to locations remote from the light source includes first and second ellipsoidally shaped reflector members joined so as to substantially surround the light source. The reflector members collect the light output and focus it onto an input face of either a light guide or a non-imaging optical coupling member. If the optical coupling member is utilized, an angle to area conversion occurs so as to allow light introduced at high angles to an input face of the optical coupler to exit the optical coupler at a smaller angle. The reflector members can also be configured so that respective second optical focal points can reside at the apex of the opposing reflector member thereby allowing for a coupling efficiency of approximately 70% or greater.

Abstract: A retrofit optical assembly is provided for automotive headlamps that includes a multi-planar mirror that cooperates with a tapered end of a light guide to reduce glare. In an asymmetric parabolic reflective surface arrangement, the multi-planar mirror is offset from the longitudinal axis of the light guide to equalize the magnification and image size. This also has the beneficial effect of reducing the amount of light loss outside of the parabola.

Abstract: A centralized lighting system having a plurality of output ports includes a high brightness light source disposed at the optical focal point of a parabolic reflector. The light source and reflector configuration deliver light output in an essentially parallel manner to a plurality of lens members effective for focussing the light output into a plurality of spatially separate light spots. The spatially separate light spots are input to optical fibers without experiencing packing fraction losses. The plurality of lens members are disposed equidistantly along radii formed relative to the reflector but at a spaced apart relation to the reflector. In this manner, the lens members provide the spatially separate light spots which are essentially equal in terms of color and intensity to one another.

Abstract: A lamp assembly includes improved thermal management properties provided by a thermal shield received about the neck region of a reflector. This reduces the temperature in the seal region of the light source. Additionally, the thermal shield can be incorporated into a modular housing to provide a contained lamp assembly. The module includes cooling fins that effectively reduce the temperature of the module without adversely effecting the light output. Alternatively, the housing is operatively connected to an external, secondary heat sink.

Abstract: Improved collection optics for a lighting system comprised of a light source, reflector and light receptive component include a multi-portion reflector or a non-imaging optical collector having a positive curvature located at an input end to the light receptive component. The collection optics capture additional lumens for transmission through the light guide. The optical arrangement can also collect different colors of light from the source that would otherwise be omitted from transmission through the light receptive component.

Abstract: An optical beam scanner or spoiler includes an array of electrically controlled liquid crystal phase shifters. Each element of the phase shifter includes an active region where proper phase shift occurs, and also includes another region, generally near the edges of the element, in which light transmission does not occur or in which improper modulation results. The inefficient regions reduce the light transmission or modulation efficiency of the array. An aperture illuminator includes a Talbot plane phase plate (also known as a Fresnel image phase plate) interposed between the incident light beam and the liquid crystal array. The phase plate includes a transparent substrate with a binary pattern of regions of relatively higher and lower index of refraction in a repeating pattern with a period P. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the regions are physically raised and lowered portions of a surface.

Abstract: A beam steering arrangement for a plurality of beams of electromagnetic radiation from a like plurality of sources arrayed with a preselected source-to-source spacing includes a first lens array. The period of the lenses corresponds to that of the sources. The lenses of the first array may be converging or diverging lenses, but when illuminated by the sources, each produces a beam of light including at least a diverging portion. A second lens array is cascaded with the first lens array, with the lenses of the second array illuminated by the diverging beam portions. The second lens array collimates the diverging beam portions. The second lens array is translated in a direction approximately transverse to the undeflected beam direction in order to scan or deflect the collimated beams. This may result in overfilling of the input apertures of the lenses of the output lens array, with consequent reduction in the amplitude of the main beam, and with generation of beams of lower intensity in other directions.

Abstract: A beam steering arrangement includes at least one lens array in which the lenses of the array are spaced at the source spacing, and the array is translated perpendicular to the beams to achieve scanning. Beam-to-beam piston phase differences result in grating lobes, with the result that the steered beam occurs as grating lobes only at discrete angles. An array of phase shifters registered with the lens array is controlled to correct the piston phase difference, thereby providing continuous scanning. In a particular embodiment of the invention the sources of the source array produce collimated beams, and a second lens array is interposed in the beam path. The efficiency of the array is improved by translating both lens arrays rather than one.